According to reports from CCTV News and other media outlets, US President Trump stated on Wednesday that the United States must "own" the entire Greenland, and not merely exercise military and defense rights there based on existing treaties .
Trump stated that ownership itself possesses strategic value that cannot be acquired through leasing or treaties .
"I think ownership gives you something that you can't get through a lease or a treaty. Ownership gives you things and rights that you can't get just by signing a document," Trump said in an interview.
It is understood that the United States has obtained extensive rights, with the consent of Denmark and Greenland, to establish military bases and defense facilities on the island, based on a treaty signed in 1951.
But Trump made it clear that this arrangement was insufficient to meet his strategic needs, and that the United States needed more direct and comprehensive control over the island.
Greenland, located in northeastern North America, is the world's largest island. It is an autonomous territory of Denmark with a high degree of autonomy; defense and foreign affairs are managed by the Danish government. The United States currently maintains a military base in Greenland.
Since taking office in 2025, US President Trump has repeatedly threatened to acquire Greenland and has stated that he does not rule out the possibility of using force.
Analysts believe that the United States' strong desire to acquire Greenland stems from its strategic location, control of key shipping lanes, and abundant resources. As the world's largest island, Greenland possesses a wealth of valuable resources, including minerals, pristine water and ice, rare earth elements, and renewable energy.
White House Press Secretary Levitt recently stated that Trump and his team are discussing "a range of options" to acquire Greenland, including "purchasing" and "using U.S. troops."
U.S. Vice President Vance warned on Thursday that European leaders should “take seriously” President Trump’s comments about the U.S. wanting to acquire Greenland, while characterizing Trump’s desire for the land as a defense and security issue.
"What we're asking our European friends to do is take the security of this land more seriously, because if they don't, the United States will have to take action," Vance said at a White House press briefing.
As the Trump administration intensified its rhetoric about "taking over Greenland," international criticism grew increasingly fierce.
On August 8 local time, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kalas said at a press conference in Cairo, Egypt, that the US threat to Greenland was "extremely worrying" and called on the US to respect international law.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio downplayed the possibility of the U.S. seizing Greenland by force during a closed-door congressional briefing on May 5. He stated that the U.S. government's recent threats regarding Greenland were aimed at "purchasing" the island from Denmark.
Rubio is expected to meet with Danish officials next week.
According to sources, senior representatives from Denmark and Greenland met with White House officials in Washington on the 8th to discuss recent developments. Reports indicate that US officials attempted to downplay Trump's remarks about "taking over" Greenland, sending a more restrained signal to Denmark and Greenland.
